If I Could Vote, I'd Vote For...

Last year, Trump terminated the DACA program, throwing the lives of hundreds of thousands of undocumented youth like me into limbo. Even though the majority of Tennesseans and Americans support the Dream Act, Congress refused to take action. For me, the stakes in this election couldn’t be higher.

There are hundreds of thousands of Tennesseans like me whose futures are on the line but who don’t yet have the right to vote. That’s why we’re counting on you to make a plan to vote in this critical election.

Many elections on the ballot this year will be decided by a small number of votes, and in these competitive races the choice is clear. For example, in the race for the U.S. Senate, Phil Bredesen would vote in support of the Dream Act, while his opponent Marsha Blackburn would make it easier for ICE to deport me.

We’re throwing down to get out the vote in communities across the state, but I’m excited to share with you some of the key races we’re investing in because we believe the pro-immigrant vote can make the difference. You can read about our top ten priority races below and learn more about other pro-immigrant candidates on our website.

I can't vote in this critical election, but if you can, please do. Your vote can make the difference in electing pro-immigrant candidates up and down the ballot.

Gabby SalinasSenate District 31

Joda ThongnopnuaHouse District 30

Gloria JohnsonHouse District 13

Our top endorsements this year are for Gabby Salinas (Senate District 31), Joda Thongnopnua (House District 30), and Gloria Johnson (House District 13). Gabby and Joda are first and second-generation immigrants who are running on fiercely progressive visions of how we can support all working families, including immigrants. They both deeply understand the experience of immigration and how much is possible when we invest in the success of immigrant families.

Gloria Johnson is a former teacher and a champion for education. We’re supporting Gloria in her campaign to unseat Eddie Smith. For the past two years, Smith has been the deciding vote to kill a bill that would grant in-state tuition to undocumented students. He voted against immigrant students, and now we’re going to vote him out.

As part of our Get Out the Vote campaign in Knoxville and Shelby County, we’re excited to support other candidates in neighboring districts who also support immigrant families.

In Shelby County, we’re supportingprogressive challenger Allan Creasy in District 97, and District 96 incumbent Dwayne Thompson, both who have pledged to support immigrant families. We’re also encouraging Shelby County voters in District 83 to support Mark White, who has been leading the charge in the state legislature to pass a bill to allow undocumented Tennessee graduates to qualify for in-state tuition rates.

In Knoxville, as we’re urging voters to support Gloria Johnson, we’re also recommending Richard Briggs for Senate District 7. Senator Briggs has supported the bill to grant in-state tuition for undocumented students, co-sponsored the Insure Tennessee bill to expand Medicaid in Tennessee, and has been a moderating force against far-right voices in the legislature.

We're also urging pro-immigrant voters to cast their ballot for Phil Bredesen for U.S. Senate and Karl Dean for Governor.

If you live in Davidson County, we are also urging you to vote FOR Amendment 1 and support the creation of a Community Oversight Board for the Metro Nashville Police Department.